Joe Root has expressed strong support for Kevin Pietersen following his unexpected appointment as a specialist mentor for England's white-ball squad. Root, who played alongside Pietersen early in his international career, emphasized that Pietersen was “always brilliant” and that he learned “a huge amount” during their time together.

Pietersen was part of the team when Root made his Test debut as a 21-year-old in Nagpur in 2012. The two cricketers shared the field in 12 Tests and nine ODIs, particularly in 2013. Root reminisced about the valuable lessons he absorbed from Pietersen, especially regarding footwork and batting techniques.

• Root highlighted Pietersen's guidance on:
  • Hitting the ball against and with the spin
  • Understanding field manipulation
  • Adapting to challenging conditions, especially during tours of India and Australia.

Despite Pietersen's controversial past, including his criticism of teammates in 2012, Root believes his honest insights will greatly benefit the squad. He remarked, “You want people to give their honest opinion,” acknowledging Pietersen's knowledge and energy as assets to the team.

As England prepares for the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Wednesday, Root is focused on ensuring the team is ready for unfamiliar challenges, given that several players have recently joined the touring squad.

Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, also noted the surprise of these call-ups but sees it as a chance for his team to play freely, stating, “We can play with freedom.” With the series outcome already decided, the match represents an opportunity for both sides to showcase their skills with pride on the line.